The small eggs are probably the duskywings. The larger one could be assassin bugs. The predators actually lay their eggs on the host plants and then their babies can start eating right away. Take them both in and separate them. You'll see what hatches pretty soon. I've done this and been very surprised by clusters being assassin bugs.

Runmede,

Thanks so much for helping me protect our new Babies!
I've taken the cluster out of the container. We can't wait to see the cats!

Betty

I just looked it up to verify. I have a CD-ROM of "The Butterflies of North America, A Natural History and Field Guide", by Dr. James Scott:

"Erynnis baptisiae (Indigo Dusky Wing)

Like E. lucilius (658) in wing pattern and male valvae shape. E. baptisiae flies with lucilius only from s Minn. to Penn.-Mass. E. baptisiae is a little larger than lucilius (fw length usually 16-18 mm) and has a paler upf patch just inside the white dots (like that of E. zarucco, 656). E. baptisiae is usually smaller than zarucco, and its fw is wider.

Habitat Gulf Coast to Transition Zone open woods and brush. Hostplants herb and shrub Leguminosae: Baptisia tinctoria, leucantha, australis, leucophaea var. laevicaulis, Crotalaria sagittalis, Lupinus perennis, Thermopsis villosa, Astragalus canadensis, introduced Coronilla varia, "hop clover." Lab larvae were raised on Thermopsis mollis and on Aquilegia (Ranunculaceae), the host of E. lucilius.

Eggs laid singly on the host. Full-grown larvae hibernate.

Mostly two flights, L Apr.-E June and July-Aug. (sometimes E Sep.). Males perch all day on low shrubs in open areas to await females."

The larvae hiberate on the plant. Leave your Baptisia and other host plants standing until late spring. Pearl Crescents also hibernate on the plant.

Keep in mind that I'm a rookie!

All I can offer is that I have not found any Duskywing eggs in clusters. A couple, or so on the same leaf, maybe, but nothing like the larger cluster.

Sounds like you have the situation under control.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. My 6 year old grandson is excited to be "growing" butterflies! Any info you can share on these will be greatly appreciated. (like how long they take to hatch)

runmede- Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I sent you an email with some questions.

Betty

Betty, as I study your photo, I get the feeling from the color and the appearance that the Wild Indigo eggs may not be viable. You might take a magnifying glass and get a really close look. My exposure (this spring) indicates that fresh, unhatched eggs tend to be of a light beige color (perhaps the maturing caterpillar inside) while the vacated egg is a rather stark white. The vacated shell also has a quite visible opening and is obviously empty. Use the attached two photos for guidance. I hope that I am wrong but I'd rather see you looking some newer, fresher eggs than waiting for these, if they are not live.

Bob
Fresh live egg.
{{gwi:509989}}

Empty egg case.
{{gwi:509990}}

Thanks, Bob for the heads up on the eggs. I will take my magnifying glass out right now.

I have another question. My home is usually kept between 66-72 degrees. Is that too cold for the eggs to mature and hatch? If so, can I just hang the butterfly tent under our metal carport?

I want to raise other butterflies, also and don't want to kill them!

I have so much to learn.

Thanks again,
Betty

Betty, I never raised one in my life! You need help from some of the many experienced surrogates on this site.

Bob

BTW, I went outside and was unable to find a single viable egg. :( Every single one looked just like the ones I have.

I'll keep looking.

Betty